China launches high-speed test train capable of 310 mph, shaped like an ancient sword

According to an old "Simpsons" quote, there"s nary a thing that can outrun a greased Scotsman.

According to an old "Simpsons" quote, there's nary a thing that can outrun a greased Scotsman.

That's no longer the case, as Chinese train manufacturer CSR Corp Ltd. unveiled a 500 km/h (310 mph) high-speed test train over the weekend. The train, which consists of six cars, is shaped to look like an ancient sword, reinforced with carbon fiber, and has a maximum tractive power of 22,800 kilowatts.

Similar (if not identical in terms of proposed speeds) projects currently under construction include the 310 mph maglev train planned by Southwest Jiaotong University, the Tokyo to Osaka bullet train planned for 2045 and the proposed 269 mph maglev train from Anaheim to Las Vegas.

The test unit is part of China's trillion dollar effort effort to build 13,000 km (8,078 miles) of high-speed rail network by 2012, and about 20,000 km (12,427 miles) by 2020. This new launch comes after a series of high-speed train-related troubles throughout 2011 in which the former Railways Ministry chief, Liu Zhijun, was accused of pocketing $122 million and subsequently terminated from his position; this was followed by a July collision between two high-speed trains in Wenzhou, which killed at least 40 people and injured another 210.

Still, the new test train tops out at 310 miles per hour and is shaped like an ancient sword, so past snafus can probably be forgiven.

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WB helps Can Tho adapt to climate change

(VOV) - The World Bank, in coordination with Can Tho City, held a seminar on February 8 to devise measures to cope with climate change in the future.

Experts proposed that Can Tho combine environmental observation with protection and sustainable development. They said the city should provide evaluations on changes in environmental quality in key observation areas to meet the requirements of state management on environmental protection, release timely warnings against the danger of environmental pollution and degradation, and build a database on environmental quality for storing, supplying and exchanging information across the country.

The general urban development plan with vision to 2030, including transport development, must take climate change into account, participants proposed.

They said the city should encourage businesses, production units and craft villages to apply environmentally friendly technologies which help reduce pollution and gas emission. It should focus on measures to raise public awareness of climate change and its impact on the economy, society and environment.

In the initial period, they suggested city should help local people stabilise their lives in flood seasons and assist localities with hydrometeorology forecasting to mitigate natural disasters.

Scientists forecast that by the year 2100 climate change will significantly change the natural and socio-economic environment in the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho. If the city does not actively address this issue, it will be submerged by more than 1m, losing a large amount of agricultural land. Water levels in the Mekong River will drop by 2-4 percent in the dry season and increase by 7-15 percent in the flood season, exacerbating floods and droughts. Declining water resources will seriously affect agricultural production, fishery, transport and public health. Consequently, the living conditions of millions of people will be affected.

Since 1996, floods in Can Tho have killed 123 people, destroyed 365,000 houses, 1,597 schools, and 7,000 km of roads, and submerged 104,000 hectares of crops.

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60 folk culture-letters and arts works awarded

PANO - Vietnam Folk Letters and Arts Association, on December 27th, organised a ceremony to present awards to 60 folk culture-letters and arts works in 2011.

PANO - Vietnam Folk Letters and Arts Association, on December 27 th , organised a ceremony to present awards to 60 folk culture-letters and arts works in 2011.

In 2011, the Association received 80 works, including various high quality and specialized ones and 33 works on ethnic groups. Having deeply studied, the Association selected 74 best works for awards consideration.

Some remarkable works include "Folk literature observed in folk cultural code" by Associate Professor cum Doctor Nguyen Thi Bich Ha, "Sli of Nung ethnic group" by Ma The Vinh and "Then musical instrument and folk songs" by Hoang Trieu An and "Buffalo offerings of Cham ethnic group in Ninh Thuan" by Hai Lien.

Also at the ceremony, 9 outstanding artists were titled folk artisans while one group in Lai Chau was presented a certificate of merit.

Mai Nguyen
Photo: Khanh Huyen

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Government eyes casino proposals, policies

The Government would poll relevant agencies on legal mechanisms for gambling before making a final decision on implementation, he added.

HA NOI —

Dam said, in accordance with piloted projects on Phu Quoc Island in southern Kien Giang Province and northern Quang Ninh Province seeking US$4 billion towards a casino, "This is a trend that needs consideration so that it can be managed and operated following market demand."

He said the Government was actively studying other betting models in countries which already had legal gambling activities.

"The Government's point of view is that, policies must be suitable to practical rules and market demand, so as not to affect [local] habits, customs, social order and security," Dam said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, US casino operators view Asia as an important new market as their American operations continue to suffer from the global financial crisis. PriceWaterhouseCoopers expects Asia to represent 43 per cent of the global casino market by 2015, up 14 per cent over 2010.

The online newspaper commented that Viet Nam could be one of several new gambling hubs thanks to its 90-million population and its growing appeal to foreign tourists.

Las Vegas Sands Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson said he was trying to encourage local authorities to allow the company to build integrated casino-and-convention resorts in the country, it wrote.

At an investment promotion conference last month, Quang Ninh Province announced an investment plan focused on a 1,800ha tourism, sport and entertainment complex in its Van Don District, with a $4 billion casino one of its most important proponents. — VNS

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Taekwondo athletes compete in German Open

Vietnam Taekwondo team has arrived in Hamburg, Germany to take part in the German Open tournament on March 3-4.

More than 1,000 athletes from around the world have registered to participate in this year's event.

When they return from Germany, the Vietnam Taekwondo team will fly to China for a one-month training course to prepare for the Asian championships, which will be held in HCM City in May.

Athletes Le Huynh Chau and Chu Hoang Dieu Linh, may also train in France for a short time before leaving for the UK to attend the London Olympics this summer.

Source: VOV

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Feature films vie for Golden Kite Awards

In the Canh Dieu Vang (Golden Kite) Awards this year, feature films have surprised the media with their quality and quantity.

Deputy Standing President of Vietnam Cinematography Association, Nguyen Thi Hong Ngat, said at a press briefing in Hanoi on Mar. 1 that 12 feature films are engaged in strong competition for this year's Golden Kite Awards.

Vietnam Feature Film has two contenders, namely "Mui co chay" (The scent of burnt grass) from director Nguyen Huu Muoi and "Tam hon me" (Mother's soul) directed by Pham Nhue Giang.

The remaining films were produced by private studios, including popular films such as "Hot boy noi loan" (Lost in Paradise ), "Long Ruoi" (The Big Boss), "Ngoi nha trong hem" (House in the alley), "Lenh xoa so" (Eliminating order).

The jury in the feature film category has 13 members headed by director Bui Dinh Hac. The Golden Kite Award is granted for professional works which have a positive effect on audiences and society, said the organising board.
In addition to the 12 feature films, this year's awards competition has attracted 19 TV series, 37 short films, 41 documentaries, 11 cartoons, and ten scientific films.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Friendship Palace in the capital city of Hanoi on March 17, coinciding with Vietnam Cinema Day.

The ceremony will also honour two directors, Bui Dinh Hac and Dang Nhat Minh, for their great contributions to national cinema. "Duong ve que me" (On the road to native village) from director Bui Dinh Hac and "Thuong nho dong que" (Nostalgia for the Countryland) from director Dang Nhat Minh and a selection of documentaries will be screened in 63 cities and provinces.

Audiences in Hanoi will have a chance to obtain free tickets for the film screenings at the Vietnam Cinematography Association's Theatre, the August Theatre and the National Cinema Centre.-VNA

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Danish researchers find new indicator diseases to signal hidden HIV risk

HIV in Europe, a pan-European HIV/AIDS initiative coordinated from Copenhagen, said heterosexuals in Europe are at risk of carrying HIV for so long that they remain undiagnosed until their immune system begins to fail, and they fall ill.

An international study led by the initiative shows that diseases, including herpes zoster and certain forms of cancer, should be on the list of indicators for having HIV, which in turn could prompt health care professionals to suggest an HIV test to their patients.

This could aid in earlier diagnosis and treatment of HIV, which attacks and weakens a patient's immune system, the initiative said, and help improve European response to treatment and care of HIV patients.

"We already have a list of AIDS defining diseases, the vast majority of which indicate a weak immune system. This is a symptom of HIV and should lead to an immediate HIV test," said Prof. Jens Lundgren of Copenhagen University, who co-chairs the HIV in Europe initiative.

"We need to find people living with HIV sooner than is currently the case, but to do so requires that doctors and other healthcare professionals offer tests to people presenting (themselves) with diseases indicative of a hidden and undiagnosed HIV infection earlier in the course of the disease," Lundgren said in a press statement.

Since 2009, the HIV in Europe initiative has investigated eight new diseases to see how often they have proven to be signs of an undiagnosed HIV infection, in a study of 3,588 patients, the statement added.

If these signs were of a sexually transmitted disease, herpes zoster, anal cancer or hepatitis B or C, among others, the network believes health professionals should offer the patient an HIV test.

The network stressed that these indicators do not necessarily mean a patient has HIV, but that the incidence of HIV was greater for the eight indicator diseases.

UNAIDS estimates 2.5 million Europeans, both inside and outside of the EU, are HIV positive, but up to 900,000 are unaware of their status. According to HIV in Europe, half of all people living with HIV are diagnosed very late in course of their chronic HIV infection.

The initiative said it will present results of the study, and discuss the new guidelines for HIV indicators, at an international HIV conference here on March 19-20.

Xinhua

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